IN TORRINGTON, BIKE TRAIL PLAN MOVES FORWARD

The city's proposed bike path is pedaling closer to reality, as officials contemplate funding sources and negotiate with property owners to gain access to the land.

The Bike Path Committee, organized by Councilman Arthur E. Mattiello, has identified a 2-mile stretch of abandoned rail line from the Sink Hole Bridge in Torrington to the Winsted town line.

Winsted officials say they are considering extending the path along the same rail line through their town.

There are six property owners along the Torrington stretch whose property would be affected. So far, three have given verbal approval for the right of way necessary to build the 10-foot-wide paved path that would also have a narrower soft shoulder for joggers.

Two private landowners and the Heritage Land Trust have given verbal approval, Mattiello said. Approvals have not been received from the state, Connecticut Light & Power Co. and one private landowner.

"We definitely don't anticipate a problem here," Mattiello said, adding that if the private landowner at the beginning of the path does not want to allow access, the starting point could be changed.

The next step is to gain official committee status from the city, so that city engineers and recreation workers can help manage the project.

Mayor Mary Jane Gryniuk said Thursday that she would check requirements for committees with Corporation Counsel Albert Vasko, but she supports the idea.

"I have no problem with that," Gryniuk said. "I think this is a group of people who have their sights set on something very positive; you have to give them as much support as possible."

The committee hopes to use state grants for transportation enhancement to pay for the project. Under this program, the state pays for 80 percent of a project and a municipality pays the other 20 percent. Mattiello said the committee's goal is not to ask the city for any money.

Estimates show the trail would cost about $65 per linear foot, Mattiello said, but the exact length of the trail has not been determined.

"We're talking some serious fund- raising when you're focusing on a big 20 percent," Mattiello said. "We feel very comfortable that we should be able to raise it."

An engineer who has built bike paths in other towns spoke to the committee Wednesday and outlined problems other towns experienced. These included maintaining a police presence along the trail and obtaining liability insurance. Mattiello said if the project is managed by the city with the volunteer committee as a steering panel, the city's existing liability insurance would be enough.

"It's no different from putting in a new recreational park," Mattiello said.

Winsted Selectman John Forrest thinks connecting the two towns by a recreation path could increase tourism in the area. He also supports Torrington and Winsted submitting a joint grant application to the state for funding.

"With state grants, you always have a better chance if it's a cooperative effort," Forrest said.

Winsted Recreation Director John Bennett attended the committee meeting in Torrington and will report to officials in his town about the feasibility of connecting the two trails.